Q. What is meant by "best practices" in the Social Studies classroom?
A. Classroom curriculum should always be aligned to New York State learning standards. Classroom teachers face the challenge of ensuring rigorous and engaging instructional practices to all students on a daily basis. There are many professional opportunities that offer teachers the ability to reflect upon and develop their instructional practice. Pedagogical practices that allow students to utilize a variety of intellectual skills and demonstrate a strong understanding of the content are considered best practices. Instruction that qualifies as best practices is also attached to pedagogical practices such as inquiry and project based learning, expeditionary learning and external place learning.
Q. What are the NYS Social Studies Standards?
A. Students will use a variety of intellectual skills to demonstrate their understanding of the history of the United States and New York, world history, geography; economics, and civics, citizenship, and government. These five standards are interwoven with the ten themes and concepts identified by the National Council for the Social Studies. These themes and concepts are (1) culture, (2) time, continuity and change, (3) people, places and environments, (4) individual development and identity, (5) individuals, groups and institutions (6) power, authority and governance, (7), production, distribution and consumption, (8) science, technology and society, (9) global connections, (10) civic ideals and practices. These themes create the framework for the Social Studies curriculum.
For more information on understanding and implementing New York State Learning Standards into the curriculum, visit the following New York State Education Department websites:
http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/ciai/social.html
http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/ciai/socst/ssrg.html
Q. Is there a NYCDOE Scope and Sequence for Social Studies?
A. The Social Studies Department is currently developing a Social Studies Scope and Sequence for grades K-8 which will begin to be implemented during the 2008-09 school year.
Q. Where is the latest information about the New York State Social Studies assessments located?
A. The New York State Education Department offers the latest information for teachers to prepare for and administer the Grade 5 and Grade 8 social studies assessments. The grade 5 assessment is administered in early November. The grade 8 assessment is administered in early June. General information on the testing program, as well as information on the format of the assessments, copies of previous exams, rubrics and scoring guides is available on the state website:
http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/osa/elintsocst.html
Q. Where may teachers go for information about New York State Certification?
A. The New York State Education Department – Office of Teaching Initiatives - provides information for obtaining New York State Certification, including understanding the certification process, obtaining information about the requirements and available pathways to certification, registering for teacher tests, and maintaining the validity of your certificate. Through the following website, teachers have online access to the certification process:
http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/
Q. What professional development opportunities for Social Studies teachers will NYCDOE offer this year?
A. The Department of Social Studies offers many professional development opportunities for elementary, middle and high school teachers on many topics with workshops given by DOE instructional specialists and staff from city museums, univerisities and cultural institutions. After consultation with your principal, visit the following website to register for professional development courses:
https://www.protraxx.com/scripts/ezcatalogny/Login.aspx?CustomerID=77
Q. What is the Middle School Social Studies Exit Project?
A. The purpose of the Exit Project is to help the student demonstrate mastery of social studies by creating and presenting a research-based project that addresses the New York City Performance Standards for English Language Arts. While the project was originally created for 8th grade students, many schools now incorporate the project into Grade 6 and 7 curricula. The project must be drawn from a grade-appropriate section of the Eastern Hemisphere or the United States and New York State History curriculum. It should attempt to interpret an historical event, person, or idea, and not simply restate subject matter. Additional information can be found in the Grade 8 Exit Project Guide on the NYCDOE website:
http://schools.nyc.gov/NR/rdonlyres/885E87C8-0EB2-4A61-90E9-A4D778761B2F/2762/SSexit1.pdf
Q. Are there any websites that will help teachers find books to support social studies instruction?
A. The National Council for Social Studies (NCSS) publishes a yearly list of “Notable Trade Books for Young People.” The books that appear in these annotated book lists are evaluated and selected by a Book Review Committee appointed by National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) in cooperation with the Children's Book Council. The books are written primarily for children in grades K-8. They emphasize human relations, represent a diversity of groups and are sensitive to a broad range of cultural experiences. They present an original theme or a fresh slant on a traditional topic, are easily readable and of high literary quality, and have a pleasing format that includes illustrations where appropriate.
For more information, please see:
http://www.ncss.org/resources/notable
Q. How do teachers know if an instructional program is research-based?
A. As a result of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, classroom instructional materials and methods must be based upon scientific research. In order to better understand what this entails, the National Institute for Literacy has created two booklets, Using Research and Reason in Education, and What is Scientifically Based Research? Not only do teachers make important decisions about ‘how’ and ‘what’ they teach, but they also assess the value of various instructional programs and their impact on students.
For more information, please see:
http://www.centeroninstruction.org/files/ScientificallyBasedResearch.pdf
Q. Where may teachers find reliable instructional resources?
A. When teachers select instructional resources for instructional purposes, it is important that specific criteria be adhered to. Are they published by a recognized authority? Do the materials include a variety of formats, such as print, non-print, and electronic media? The New York State Education Department has created a Social Studies Resource Guide with Core Curriculum. Using this guide, teachers have access to education-related internet sites, educational journals, suggested fiction and nonfiction book titles, as well as selected magazine titles. The National Council for the Social Studies regularly updates listings of new classroom resources as well.
For more information, please see:
http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/ciai/socst/ssrg.html
http://www.socialstudies.org/resources/